Campaigners denied appeal over Gatwick expansion
Campaigners have lost their final legal bid to challenge the expansion of Gatwick Airport, which includes moving an emergency runway to accommodate 100,000 additional flights annually. The Court of Appeal dismissed the case, citing that the government's assessment of climate impacts and the necessity of the expansion was legally sound.
Why it matters
This ruling sets a significant precedent for infrastructure projects in the UK, balancing economic growth and airport capacity against national carbon reduction commitments.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The £2.2bn expansion will see the West Sussex airport move its emergency runway 12m (39ft) north
Campaigners have lost a bid to take their legal fight against the government over plans for a two-runway operation at Gatwick Airport to the Court of Appeal.
Peter Barclay and campaign group Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (Cagne) previously took legal action against the Department for Transport over the decision to approve the plans, including over claims that the government did not properly assess the climate impact of the scheme.
Cagne and Barclay told a hearing in January the scheme was unlawful, claiming climate impact was not properly assessed.
The £2.2bn expansion will see the West Sussex airport move its emergency runway 12m (39ft) north to allow 100,000 more flights a year.
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